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Is social media setting unrealistic smile expectations?

March 19, 2021

As social media continues to grow its role in our everyday lives, many of us feel pressured to look picture-perfect all of the time, with some of us turning to dentists for professional treatments. These treatments include take-home kits prescribed by the dentist and in-office teeth whitening procedures. If social media’s picture-perfect culture is creating a massive demand for whiter teeth, how damaging can it be? Let’s delve deeper into this topic.

Take-home teeth whitening kits

The demand for teeth whitening products in theretail market is massive and includes countless options, from specialised toothpaste to overnight bleaching trays. However, misuse of whitening products can damage different parts of your oral cavity, while using too many abrasive products may thin the enamel of the teeth which will make them more prone to damage and decay. It has also been proven that it can affect the health oftissue of the gumsand cheeks if not used correctly.

The least alarming disadvantage of teeth whitening is if the whitening is irregular or over- usage which can lead to sensitivity. Always make sure you have been advised and understand what you need to do to get the best results in the least harmful way and consult your dentist if any problems come to the surface.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-coloured resin material (a durable plastic material) is applied and hardened with a special light, which ultimately “bonds” the material to the tooth to restore or improve a person’s smile.

There are a few different pros and cons for dental bonding. Bonding is quick, easy, and affordable. It also provides a strong and natural completion. Another great perk is that bonding is non-invasive. It doesn’t require any needles or scary tools which makes it perfect for nervous patients. However, bonding is not for everyone: people with more complex tooth damage will need another procedure. Bonding can also stain, so patients should be sure to clean them well.

Dental Veneers

As we know, veneers are thin ceramic coverings that fit on the front of the teeth. Their main disadvantage is that the teeth sometimes have to be shaved and shaped so it’s generally not a reversible procedure. Even though veneers can easily correct a row of teeth, if we go through life expecting our smile to be “picture perfect”, we’re going to be disappointed.

Have a happy and healthy smile online and offline with Floe

If you look at celebrities on social media, you’re probably only going to see them in a better light because we want to put our best selves forward. Influencers are also experiencing pressure to look a certain way, but because that’s their job they are willing to allocate resources to these aesthetic treatments. However, we all know no one’s life is perfect. Life is messy and it’s not always photogenic, but although it’s not perfect, it’s still pretty good.

Just as everyone needs to balance their time on and offline, it’s vital they balance their oral health by creating positive habits that become reinforced over time. The negative impact that social media might have on your mental health can be offset by focussing on a thorough oral care routine.

People who are conscious about their wellbeing are more likely to be attentive to their oral health – but they need to ensure they’re caring for their mouth in the right way. So while brushing twice a day might be a given, being sure to use fluoride toothpaste, replacing your brush regularly and flossing daily takes more effort to turn into second nature.

Floe’s subscription box will help you get there. Every three months like clockwork, we’ll deliver:

  • A brand new Curaprox brush -with over 5000 soft bristles, gives unrivalled cleaning coverage, to remove plaque more effectively.
  • Dawn toothpastes – designed to whiten using natural ingredients that are kind to your enamel.
  • Dusk toothpastes – suited to the needs of your mouth in the morning and evening.
  • Activated charcoal natural floss – made from bamboo charcoal fibres – effective flossing at a price that doesn’t cost the earth.

All you need to do is receive your new box and give us back your old brushes and packaging. Let us take care of your oral care routine so you can concentrate on your wellbeing.

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